Howard Sills

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

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Passenger killed in single-vehicle wreck

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, September 4, 2024
The Labor Day holiday weekend was marred by tragedy Friday night when an Eatonton man lost his life in a single-vehicle crash.Residents along Scott Road reported hearing a loud boom and then losing their electrical power around 10:30 p.m.
Tommy Lee Kell barricaded himself in the attic of his house and threatened a shoot-out with the officers. (CONTRIBUTED)

Tommy Lee Kell barricaded himself in the attic of his house and threatened a shoot-out with the officers. (CONTRIBUTED)

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UPDATE: Teargas ends Sparta Hwy. standoff peacefully

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
A standoff between law enforcement authorities and a wanted man lasted about two hours Thursday, July 11, on the 200 block of Sparta Highway in Eatonton. The man, identified as 26-year-old Tommy Lee Kell, had barricaded himself in the attic of his house and threatened a shoot-out with the officers.
Eulalio De Leon Aldana

Eulalio De Leon Aldana

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Tip leads to possible trafficking victim

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
A young woman forced to stay in a hot car all day, every day, is suspected by local authorities of being a human trafficking victim, and a joint effort was made to get her to safety.
The driver of this Toyota Corolla was killed when the car crashed straighton into the Budget Rental box truck Friday afternoon on the Sparta Highway. CONTRIBUTED/PCSO

The driver of this Toyota Corolla was killed when the car crashed straighton into the Budget Rental box truck Friday afternoon on the Sparta Highway. CONTRIBUTED/PCSO

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Eatonton father killed in head-on collision

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
An Eatonton father was apparently killed in a head-on collision Friday, according to Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills.Terence Butts, 45, of Eatonton, died in the crash that happened around 3:45 p.m. May 17.
Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills shows the samurai sword that was used in a recent attack on a man and his vehicle. LYNN HOBBS/Staff

Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills shows the samurai sword that was used in a recent attack on a man and his vehicle. LYNN HOBBS/Staff

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Sword-swinging man jailed for aggravated assault

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
An Eatonton man is in jail after he tried to attack someone with a samurai sword, according to authorities.
Russell and Shirley Dermond (File Photo)

Russell and Shirley Dermond (File Photo)

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New evidence discovered in decade-old murders

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
The widely discussed and reported case of the murders of Russell and Shirley Dermond may still be unsolved on its 10th anniversary, but it is in no way a cold case.
Long-time Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills (left) pictured with Dr. Rakesh Kumar (right). IAN TOCHER/Staff

Long-time Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills (left) pictured with Dr. Rakesh Kumar (right). IAN TOCHER/Staff

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Kumar trades 44 years at PGH for ‘spiritual upliftment’

Ian Tocher
Thursday, April 18, 2024
Following a 44-year career at Putnam General Hospital (PGH), Dr. Rakesh Kumar officially retired on Monday, with his departure marked by a simple but heartfelt ceremony and buffet held in the hospital’s cafeteria space.
The windshield of this Ford Ranger, driven by a 24-year-old Sparta man, was damaged when a tree fell on it while he was traveling on Pea Ridge Road. PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

The windshield of this Ford Ranger, driven by a 24-year-old Sparta man, was damaged when a tree fell on it while he was traveling on Pea Ridge Road. PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

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Gusty winds pummel Putnam last week

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, April 18, 2024
High winds wreaked havoc in Putnam County last week, causing significant damage, man hours, and inconvenience. Local authorities and electric companies reported downed trees that caused power, cell phone, and internet outages, as well as several damaged vehicles on Thursday and Friday.
Joshua Loyd Bruinekool

Joshua Loyd Bruinekool

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Man sought for vehicle fatality turns self in

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, April 18, 2024
After about a month of being sought by authorities, the man charged with the death of an Eatonton woman in a vehicle crash turned himself in. Joshua Loyd Bruinekool, a.k.a.
Sixteen ounces of lab-converted crystalline methamphetamine, with a street value of around $22,700, was seized by local authorities last week. COURTESY OF PCSO

Sixteen ounces of lab-converted crystalline methamphetamine, with a street value of around $22,700, was seized by local authorities last week. COURTESY OF PCSO

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Pound of meth pulled from Eatonton’s streets

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Once again, the Eatonton Police Department and Putnam County Sheriff’s Office combined forces to get drugs off the streets of Eatonton and Putnam County. This time, it was more than a pound of methamphetamine.
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